"But behind the scenes they were blocking stuff - talking to clubs but just not wanting to sell me."

Mahrez claimed he was '50/50' in leaving the Foxes after 2016, even meeting Arsenal's chief transfer negotiator, Dick Law at the time, whilst his representatives met with Arsene Wenger over a proposed move.

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A move failed to materialise however and whilst he and Jamie Vardy remained at Leicester, N'Golo Kante was allowed to leave for Chelsea the following season for £32m, in what was the only significant departure of that title winning side.

Speaking about Kante's departure, he said: "N'Golo had a clause and when he left they stopped those clauses.

"They said they would never give one to anyone after that."

Mahrez, now managed by Claude Puel, has seen his performances improve in recent week, with his glorious winner against Tottenham on Tuesday a glimpse of the quality he is capable of producing.

5 - Riyad Mahrez has had a hand in five goals in his last seven @premierleague appearances (three goals, two assists). Stunner.